LX5, S95, XZ1, or SZ-30MR If you had to, which would you choose?

Sam

Rookie
Hi everyone, I'm looking for a serious point and shoot (currently a GF1 shooter) and I'm trying to decide which to get from this group: LX5, S95, XZ1, or SZ-30MR.
I am very excited about being able to shoot HD and high quality pics simultaneously. So waiting for the SZ-30MR (due in April?) is easy for me, even though it hasn't been tested/reviewed. I'm curious where others stand and which camera you would choose.
Also, I'm excited by the SZ-30MR's 24X zoom, and its 25-600 lens. Just seems ideal for something to have in your pocket all the time.
 
One of these things is not like the other...

The SZ-30MR is going to be more comparable to the ZS7 or the Canon SX230. Not to the XZ1, S95 or LX5.

If you want the 24X and simul photo/video, then just wait to the SZ comes out. The GF1 can still be your "high quality" shooter, and the SZ can be your "do everything" camera.
 
Thanks wt21. I agree and I will most likely wait for the SZ. But I'm really curious which of the four (understanding that the SZ isn't in the same class as the other three) people out there would go for if they HAD to choose one of these four as their only point and shoot that's in their pockets at all times.
 
I have tried the LX5 and XZ-1 and returned them both. I use my Ricoh GX100 as my compact zoom P&S, although it has its own issues. The Ricoh GRD3 is my favorite P&S. After using primarily larger sensor cameras my tolerance for small sensors is waning. Sure, they have their place, but my eye has become too critical. That said, I've been going through my Lightroom catalog to delete pictures and over time, at least in some categories of pictures, like family shots, the technical details no longer matter and it's just nice to have the picture.

Not sure this is helpful :rolleyes:
 
That's very helfpul Andrew. I think that's my major issue with point and shoots. After so long with my GF1 and no p+s, I feel like the sensors on the little guys make pictures annoying. You have a really good shot and instead of being thrilled you feel annoyed because of the technical quality that may not work with that particular shot. But as you said, with certain shots you're glad you got the shot, instead of not getting it because your bigger camera was at home.
So one must have one and I think these cameras do a decent enough job to minimize the annoyance.
So, if you had to choose which would it be?
 
haha....i put my choice on the welcome thread.... LX5 for me. But I'll tell ya...Im addicted to my cell phone cam and cant get enough...for now anyways, which brings me to my point. Someone said, "the best camera is the one with you"..... sorry really no help here....but welcome anyhow

urban_22resized.JPG

my touch 4g

cheers,
Pete
 
The LX5 will feel very familiar to you.
It's very close to the GF1, very close.
The IQ is great. I made many images and printed many of them.
I had a small issue with the AF target point but others dont.

My friend Pete above didn't mention that he was using the new unreleased Leica M phone.
Shhhhhh
 
Second the iPhone, but as Streetshooter says if you have the GF1 then the LX5 makes sense. You can even use the EVF with it. The difference is probably not that much between the brands. It becomes more a matter of personal preference for the ergonomics or features.
 
If portability is important to you, Canon S95 is it. I use a S90, and it gets good results even in low light. When using flash, the S90 was also actually pretty good (unlike my VLux-20).
 
I gather that if you are used to using a GF1 the LX5 will feel most natural. The thing that I don't like about the LX3 & LX5 is the lens cap. If you don't take it off before you turn on the camera you get an error message, drove me nuts. I prefer the XZ-1 feels more like a real camera but find the S95 the most ultra-portable though it feesl quite P&Sy.
 
I'm going to disagree on the sensor question. It's only an issue once you get to 800ISO. Up to 400 ISO is great on any of the serious compacts, especially if you shoot RAW.

Of the options you set out my choice would be the LX5 (I own an LX3). If it doesn't shoot RAW I'm not interested and I'm not interested in super zooms so the SZ30 doesn't interest me.

Of the others my prime consideration in choosing the LX3/5 would be the lens. The LX5 starts at a 24mm equivalent; the others at a 28mm equivalent. The extra at the wide end is more important to me that the extra at the long end. I played with the S90 in store and thought it was a nice camera, but the lack of wide angle and the relative slowness of the lens on the long end put me off. It was also a little too small for me. Sorry Lisa, but I've never understood why people get so worked up about having to remove a lens cap. The error message is just a message telling you to take off the lens cap - seems quite helpful to me - and if you come fron DSLR or M43 or NEX etc. taking of the lens cap is second nature before shooting.

I haven't handled or seen a ZX1 so can't comment except to say that it too starts at 28mm equivalent so wouldn't work for me.

When I was considering whether to move from the LX3 to the LX5 the only other camera I considered at that point was the Samsung EX1.
 
Just FYI, there is a very cool lens cap for the LX5 that opens up by itself. I saw one for the first time in real life earlier in the week. I need to get one for myself. I have no problem with needing to remove the lens cap but I like the idea of not losing it or misplacing it.:redface:

Sam, can you get to a camera store and try these cameras out? Bring along an SD card...and then make your mind up?

Do you plan on keeping your GF1 for now? I only ask because I think that some of us who have experienced the larger sensors are interested in small packages that offer us even better image files...though as it has been pointed out the LX5 and LX3 make great photographs. I, too, really like a wider angle lens and usually use my LX5 at its widest setting. However the zoom is there if one needs it.

I'm afraid I don't have any experience with any of the other cameras mentioned.

If you want to be able to carry this camera with you, you need to try them out in real life and see how they feel and work for you - and your pockets. If pocketability is an important factor. Some of us have deeper and larger pockets than others.;)
 
I'm rather prejudiced since I have the LX5 and think it's a wonderful little camera. I've finally ordered some prints and once I see them I hope I'll continue to be as happy as I am with what I've seen via my computer screen.
 
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